Mambiloid languages


The twelve Mambiloid languages are a branch of Benue–Congo languages spoken by the Mambila and related peoples mostly in eastern Nigeria, with a small proportion of people across the border in Cameroon.

Languages

The following classification follows Blench. Languages with are not listed in that source, but close to other languages according to Ethnologue. Ndoro–Fam may be a separate branch of Benue–Congo.
Ethnologue also lists Njerep, which most likely lies somewhere in the Mambila–Kamkam branch. The extinct Yeni, Luo and Kasabe languages were apparently Mambiloid, the first two close to Njerep.
Fam is sometimes classified with Ndoro, but appears to be more divergent.
The unclassified language Bung shows its strongest resemblance to be with the Ndung dialect of Kwanja. It also has words in common with other Mambiloid languages such as Tep, Somyev and Vute, while a number of words' origins remain unclear.

Names and locations (Nigeria)

Below is a list of language names, populations, and locations from Blench.
LanguageDialectsAlternate spellingsOwn name for languageEndonymOther names Other names for languageExonymSpeakersLocation
MbɔŋnɔBungnuMbọngnọMbọngnọKamkamKakaba, Bunu800 ; 3000 est. Blench and Connell Taraba State, Sardauna LGA, Kakara town
NdoolaAt least 2 dialectsNdoroNdoolaNdoolaNjoyamɛ 1169 ; 10,000 total, 1,300 in Cameroon ; estimated more than 15,000 Taraba State, Sardauna and Gashaka LGAs; and in Cameroon
VuteAt least 6 dialectsBute, Mbute, Wute, VouteMbutere1,000 or less in Nigeria; 30,000 in Cameroon Taraba State, Sardauna LGA; northeast Mambila Plateau, but mainly in Cameroon
TepA single village and associated hamlets. <4000Taraba State. Mambila Plateau
MambilaAlmost every village has a separate dialect forming a dialect chain. Dialect centres are: Bang, Dorofi, Gembu, Hainari, Kabri, Mayo Ndaga, Mbamnga, Tamien, Warwar. At least 4 dialects in Cameroon.Ju NɔriNɔrMambila, Mambilla, Mambere18,000 ; 60,000 ; 10,000 in CameroonTaraba State, Sardauna LGA. Mambila Plateau. Cameroon.
MvanɨpMvanɔMagu100 Taraba State, Sardauna LGA. A single quarter of Zongo Ajiya town in the northwest of the Mambila Plateau.
Ndunda400 Taraba State, Sardauna LGA. In northwest Mambila Plateau.
SomyɛvKila, Zuzun4 speakers Taraba State, Sardauna LGA,. Kila Yang village, 10 km. west of Mayo Ndaga. Also formerly spoken in Cameroon
FamFamFamKɔŋa, KongaFewer than 1,000 ; <500 Taraba State, Bali LGA, 17km east of Kungana